Gannon keen on Owen deal

Stockport County manager Jim Gannon has told skysports.com he will make Gareth Owen his number one transfer target over the summer.

The Hatters boss has been so impressed with the form of the on-loan Oldham defender that he made him captain, and admits the 24-year-old's performances have played a big part in the club's record-breaking run of nine wins and nine clean sheets.

"There's no question we'll be looking to secure a permanent deal for Gareth as he has been colossal for us since he arrived," Gannon said.

"We did speak to Oldham during the January transfer window, though at the time they wanted a fee, and we weren't in a position to be able to offer one.

"But hopefully some things may change in that respect as I know our fans would love to have him here permanently."  

Meanwhile, Gannon has revealed how it was Rochdale's climb away from danger at the foot of League Two that prompted him to recall striker Adam Le Fondre.

The 20-year-old returned to Edgeley Park this week having scored four goals in seven games at Dale.

"I'm good friends with Dale boss Keith Hill and his assistant David Flitcroft, and I was delighted to help them out by letting them have Alfy until they were out of danger," Gannon continued.

"That seems to be the case now, and with Adam Proudlock struggling with an ankle injury, the time seemed right to recall him.

"If we could have got by without him I would have loved to have told Keith and David they could keep him until the end of the season, but he's in good form and we need as much as we can up front going into the season's run-in."

Stockport host fellow form side Hartlepool United in the day's top game in League Two this coming Saturday.